poker coaching for beginners – hand ranges

One of the key concepts i teach in my poker coaching courses relates to hand ranges. Simply put, this involves estimating what our opponent may have, and then acting accordingly. Its pretty common for people who havent had poker coaching, i.e. the typical amateur/novice player, to just think about their own hand, and not consider what their opponent may have. Or the players who constantly moan about how their AK lost to 74 on a K74 flop. Understanding hand ranges is applicable to both.

Using an example, lets say we have KQ, per the starting hands guide (see download on the left), this is a hand we will be playing. N/b KQ is a good hand, but certainly not the strongest of hands we can be dealt. Nevertheless, lets see where we fair when we consider a playing this hand versus a bad opponent who plays too many poker hands.

We raise KQ on the button, and the poor player (who plays too many hands) calls in the big blind.

So how do we fair in the hand (before we even get to the flop)? well, lets consider our opponents range.

He can call with the following:

Ax hands, i.e. A2-AK, we are roughly a 60/40 underdog to these hands (AK has us crushed, but the rest are only slightly behind)

Kx hands, i.e. K2-KJ, we dominate these hands, and are 80/20 favourite.

Qx hands, we are 60/40 favourites.

Small connectors, e.g. 67, 45, 89, we are 65/35 favourites.

Small pairs, we are 50/50.

QQ and KK are unlikely (u have a K and Q so less combinations left).

AA is very rare, u are 80/20 underdog, but this is only ONE hand.

Plus if villain is really bad, he can show up with 85, J3, T2 etc, again, versus these hands we are 65/35 faves.

So, what does this mean? well, by following my poker starting hands chart, on average, you’re going to win the pot / be ahead approximately 65% of the time. I.e. when we see the flop, we are ahead approx 65% of the time. Most of the time we should win the hand, even if you arent the best player in the world, using my chart, you’ve put yourself in a winning position.

Is this a big deal? well yes! lets say you play 10 hands, each for $10. Statistically, you’ll win $65, and lose $35. So in 10 hands, we’ve won $30. It really isnt rocket science! Just simply follow my poker coaching rules.

So are you concerned now that your AK just got cracked by 74? No – because now you know that player is going to make you rich! Remember poker is a long term game, and over time, these poor players will lose. It’s a statistical certainty. Which, by definition, means you will be winning

Good luck at the tables, Johnny.